U.S. Energy Efficiency

What 5 million data points say about energy efficiency potential

Energy efficiency is the country's cheapest power source and the secret to unlocking its potential isn't a new fracking fluid or a new nuclear reactor design. The key is data. A new era of data transparency and quantification is turning energy efficiency from a guesstimate into a reliable and deployable resource that our country can count on. This page is a small peek into that brave new world that brings together data on housing structures, heating and cooling, appliances, and energy habits from more than 120,000 U.S. households. The data illuminates clear opportunities for saving energy and money.

National Highlights

Lighting

North and South Dakotans report using more conventional light bulbs than any other state, at 1.5 times the national average. Vermonters, by contrast, report using efficient bulbs at the highest rate, 1.8 times the national average.

Appliances

States with the most stand-alone freezers in addition to a primary fridge and freezer? Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, all in excess of 2x the national average.

Heating Set Point

West Virginians like it warmer in the winter. They set their thermostats higher than most other states. Rhode Islanders keep their homes the coolest in winter.

Cooling Set Point

Alabamans set their thermostats cooler than any other state in the summer. Others who keep their AC chillier than average include residents of Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

State by State

* Washington may be over represented - we've got lots of friends here in EnergySavvy's backyard!

Illinois

More likely than the U.S. average to have:

Central air conditioning (1.2x), especially with a system 15 or more years old (1.6x)

High efficiency gas heating systems (2x)

Storm windows (1.7x)

Homes built before 1920 (2.1x)

Gas appliances: stove (2x), dryer (3.7x), hot water heater (1.7x)

Energy Efficiency Opportunities by Measure for Illinois

Heating

92% heat their homes with gas compared to 55% nationally

20% claim their heating system is 15+ years vs. 12% nationally

Cooling

41% report having central AC vs. 35% nationally

Of those, 13% have a system 15+ years vs. 8% average

Home Size

19% of homes have three stories or more vs. 11% nationally

Water Heater

88% use a gas water heater compared to 52% nationally

Age Range

13% of homes were built before 1920 vs. 6% nationally

Foundation

77% of homes have basements vs. 36% nationally

Laundry

65% use a gas dryer vs. 17% nationally

DSM Solutions for Utility Programs

EnergySavvy's software brings breakthrough transparency and control to DSM departments. Utilities and states across the country use our Optix software platform to drive portfolio performance, increase customer satisfaction and minimize risk. We invite you to contact us and learn why industry leaders choose EnergySavvy.